Penalty on Jackson cost Texans in loss to Seahawks, Phillips says

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Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips acknowledged one play technically can’t win or lose a game. But, like coach Gary Kubiak, Phillips disagreed with a late personal-foul penalty Sunday against cornerback Kareem Jackson. And Phillips believes the 15-yard unnecessary roughness flag set up the Texans’ 23-20 overtime home loss to Seattle.

“In my opinion, it cost us the game,” Phillips said.

Jackson said postgame he didn’t understand the flag and didn’t deserve to be penalized for a hit against Seattle’s Doug Baldwin. The call sent the Seahawks to the Texans’ 36 on a play that began at Seattle’s 42. Four plays later, Steven Hauschka kicked a 45-yard field goal for the game-winner. Jackson threw Baldwin down on the takedown, saying he was trying to stop the receiver’s forward momentum and ensure a tackle during a tied contest in overtime.

“I really can’t comment on it to be honest with you, because I don’t know what the flag was for,” Jackson said. “I was playing until the whistle and tackling the guy. If I don’t tackle, he scores. It’s plain and simple. We were playing in overtime. With that situation in a game, you’ve got to tackle.”

Kubiak expressed confusion about the call Wednesday. He’s yet to hear from the NFL about whether Jackson will be fined.

“I understand the rule about picking somebody up and putting them on their head. I understand that,” Kubiak said. “I didn’t see the play that way. Obviously, the league’s got the call on that, so we’ll see what they come back and say to us.”